F. CHARLES DONOHUE, the editor and proprietor of the Freeport Democrat, is a native of Holyoke, Mass., and is of Irish parentage. Early in life he moved to Chicago, where he attended the old Dearborn School. In early life he became interested in journalism and published a boy’s paper. He learned the printing business, and then became a reporter in Chicago, which occupation he followed until 1877, when he made Freeport his home. He became interested in the Daily Herald, the first daily that ever was a success up to that time in that city. He severed his connection with the Herald in 1879, and became city editor of the Daily Bulletin. The Herald was healthy and prosperous when Mr. Donohue left it, but before the end of the year it turned its toes to the daisies. In 1882 he became the city editor of the Journal, a new daily, and made it a success from the first issue.

On the 16th of May, 1883, our subject was married to Miss Mollie M. Gleason, at Lena, Ill. She is the daughter of a pioneer in the service of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. They have one child, a daughter, three years old.

In June, 1887, Mr. D. purchased the Democrat, and is having a wonderful success. His accession to the proprietorship of the Democrat was made the occasion of very complimentary mention through the columns of his numerous contemporaries through Illinois and Wisconsin, from some of whom we quote. The Rockford Register says: “The Democrat always shows the ear marks of the wide-awake, enterprising ‘Donny.’ If the Democrat does not flourish like a green bay tree, it will not be for the lack of an able newspaper man at the helm.” The Dixon Sun said: “Mr. Donohue is a practical printer, a life-long Democrat, and a bright and spicy writer.” The Galena Gazette said: “Charles Donohue has done much to child up the newspaper business in Freeport, and now that he has embarked in business for himself, that he will make a success cannot be doubted.” The Savanna Journal said: “Mr. Donohue is practically the pioneer of daily journalism in Illinois, and by extraordinary effort and perseverance has achieved a success almost phenomenal in that branch of business.” And from every quarter came words of commendation and as full of encouragement as these. The Chicago Inter Ocean, in referring to the enterprising men of Freeport, said: “F. Charles Donohue is a young gentleman gifted with the versatile talents which do not come simply by education, but are inbred. Mr. Donohue may be properly denominated as the father of successful city journalism, who by his aggressive energy, his quick-centered ability to obtain valued information, fertility of resources for making the local columns newsy, spicy and interesting, and consummate tact in giving the public the latest happenings of local interest, established beyond peradventure, the success of daily journalism in Freeport.”

The Daily Democrat was started Sept. 5, 1887, by Mr. Donohue. It was a success from the very first issue, and is pushing its way ahead rapidly. The Chicago Herald in referring to it editorially, says: “One of the very best of the neighboring newspapers is the Daily Democrat, of Freeport, edited by F. Charles Donohue, formerly well known in Chicago. He is making a bright and attractive, and, what is equally important, a successful journal.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. 1888